Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for turning the state into a hub for a knowledge-based economy during his recent visit to Jharsuguda. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Suraj highlighted how Modi’s Purvodaya initiatives—focused on eastern India’s growth—will spark a new dawn, or Suryodaya, of development across the country.
PM Modi connected with young people in Jharsuguda, Odisha, sharing big plans from “chip to ship.” He spotlighted the upcoming Paradip to Jharsuguda Industrial Corridor and pushed for expanding seats at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Modi also announced Wi-Fi-enabled campuses for about 150 higher education institutions in Odisha, aiming to boost learning and innovation. “This is an inspiring day for us,” Suraj said, noting how Modi commended the Odisha government’s work on rural development.
Suraj stressed the bigger picture: “If Odisha doesn’t grow, eastern India can’t, and if eastern India lags, the whole nation suffers. That’s why PM Modi keeps championing Purvodaya.” He added that these efforts will drive India’s overall progress.
During the visit, PM Modi kicked off development projects worth more than Rs 60,000 crore in Jharsuguda, covering telecom, railways, higher education, healthcare, skill development, and rural housing. Key highlights included laying the foundation for new hostels, auditoriums, academic blocks, and cutting-edge facilities at IITs to fuel research and education nationwide.
Modi greenlit expansions for eight IITs—Tirupati, Palakkad, Bhilai, Jammu, Dharwad, Jodhpur, Patna, and Indore—with an investment of around Rs 11,000 crore. These upgrades will add spots for 10,000 more students over the next four years. He also launched eight advanced research parks to supercharge India’s innovation scene and research and development.
In a major move for technical education, PM Modi rolled out the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme. This program targets 275 state engineering and polytechnic colleges across India, focusing on better quality, fairness, research, and fresh ideas.
For Odisha’s workforce, Modi launched Phase II of the Odisha Skill Development Project. It includes new World Skill Centres in Sambalpur and Berhampur, training in hot areas like AgriTech, renewable energy, retail, marine industries, and hospitality. Plus, five Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) will upgrade to Utkarsh ITIs, 25 more will become Centres of Excellence, and a fresh Precision Engineering Building will offer top-tier technical skills.
To bridge the digital divide, PM Modi dedicated Wi-Fi services to 130 higher education institutions in Odisha, giving over 2.5 lakh students free daily data access and opening doors to online learning.
Modi gave a shoutout to Odisha’s youth potential, announcing central government approval for two semiconductor units and a new semiconductor park in the state. He painted a vivid picture: “Imagine Odisha making the tiny chips that power phones, TVs, fridges, computers, cars, and more.” This ties into the government’s push for self-reliance, from chips to ships.
Reaffirming commitment to that goal, Modi talked up the Paradip to Jharsuguda Industrial Corridor as a game-changer. He emphasized shipbuilding’s role in building economic power, trade, tech, and national security. “Countries aiming for strength must invest here,” Modi said, pointing out how homegrown ships keep imports and exports flowing even in tough global times. To back it up, the government unveiled a Rs 70,000 crore package to boost shipbuilding across India.
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